to want to scratch my eyes out

[frogspoon]

I have what I am fairly sure is viral conjunctivitis.

I have had a bad cold/ sore throat/ swollen glands since Friday. Yesterday morning I noticed my eyes looked a little red, they got more sore throughout the day. Today eyes are still very red and sore and itchy, and cold is no better. Have taken today off work and feel awful.

So far I have taken antibiotic eye drops (I know they will most likely do nothing as I'm fairly sure it is viral, but just to be on the safe side) and compresses.

I phoned NHS direct, who said as it is viral, all they can suggest is self care (soothing eye drops, compresses).

I don't see the point in going to the GP, as there is very little they can do so it would just waste their time, but I might go to the pharmacy if there is anything better I can take e.g. a more suitable eye drop rather than antibiotic.

My eyes are so sore I just want to rub/ scratch them even though I know it will only make it worse.

After suffering with my eyes for 18 months I can tell you that you will either need the anti-biotic drops or anti-histamine drops. There really aren't any other drops that are worth taking. The AH will maybe make your eyes more comfortable.

No advice but plenty of sympathy.

Poor you. I hope you feel better soon.

Artificial tears with soothe the discomfort a little by keeping the moisture levels up, as your tear film won't be particularly efficient when you have conjunctivitis. A good quality, viscous tear will be better than the standard, watery (useless) "comfort drops".

Cold compresses will help with the inflammation a little.

Antibiotic drops will have no effect at all, as you know. Using them is pointless and unnecessary...as long as you are sure it is viral not bacterial?

Do not use antihistamines if you do not have an allergy!

Why suppress the immune response? All that will do is prolong the infection and possibly make it worse long term.

There is more than one cause of red eye. If in doubt get qualified advice from an eye care professional.

I wouldn't diagnose myself when it comes to my eyes, I went through months of mis-diagnoses by GPs and even some eye specialists, eventually found one that listened to what I thought was wrong and low and behold it was correct. Liquid tears were a waste of time for me. It all depends on your complete symptoms.

Exactly Buzzard, but antihistamines may not be suitable in this case and can cause long term complications so are best avoided unless specifically recommended by an eye care professional who has seen the OP's eyes

Yes Little I had months and months of steriods put into my eyes, god only knows what long term damage has been done to my eyes...and this by the experts!
Be very careful OP what you put in your eyes and if you see (pardon the pun) no improvement in 2 weeks then question it.

Do you have access to any breast milk? It sorts out eye infections really quickly.

Trip to the pharmacy seems like a good idea.

I ended up going to the GP in the end, as eyes were so sore and painful.

She prescribed antibiotic eyedrops, but they are exactly the same as what I already am using, so I will just keep using them.

She said to come back if it doesn't improve in 5 days/ gets worse.